Use context to identify the meaning of a word

Key Notes:

What are Context Clues?

Sometimes when we read, we come across words we don’t know. Don’t worry! Instead of immediately reaching for a dictionary, we can use context clues to figure out the meaning. Context clues are hints within a sentence or paragraph that help us understand unfamiliar words.

Types of Context Clues

There are several types of context clues we can look for:

• Definition: The meaning of the word is directly stated in the sentence.
• Example: The sentence gives an example of the word’s meaning.
• Synonym: The sentence uses a word with a similar meaning to the unknown word.
• Antonym: The sentence uses a word with the opposite meaning to the unknown word.
• Inference: The meaning of the word is not directly stated, but you can figure it out based on the surrounding sentences and your own knowledge.

Examples

Let’s look at some examples:

• Definition: The arachnid, a creature with eight legs, scurried across the floor. (Arachnid means a creature with eight legs.)
• Example: My dog has many idiosyncrasies, such as eating grass and chasing his tail. (Idiosyncrasies are strange or unusual habits.)
• Synonym: The landscape was serene, peaceful and calm. (Serene means peaceful and calm.)
• Antonym: Unlike her gregarious brother, who loves being around people, Sarah prefers to spend time alone. (Gregarious means liking to be with other people.)
• Inference: The old house was dilapidated. The paint was peeling, the windows were broken, and the roof was falling apart. (Dilapidated means in a state of disrepair.)

Time to Practice!

Read each sentence and try to figure out the meaning of the underlined word using context clues. Write your best guess and what type of clue helped you.

1. The king was a benevolent ruler, always kind and generous to his people.
   Meaning: ___________ Type of Clue: ___________
2. The plants began to wither; they dried up and turned brown because of the drought.
   Meaning: ___________ Type of Clue: ___________
3. The audacious climber dared to scale the towering mountain without any ropes.
   Meaning: ___________ Type of Clue: ___________
4. The museum contained many artifacts, such as ancient pottery and tools.
   Meaning: ___________ Type of Clue: ___________
5. Because the hiker was so weary after the long hike, he collapsed in a chair to rest.
   Meaning: ___________ Type of Clue: ___________

Why is this important?

Using context clues is a powerful reading skill! It helps you:

• Understand new words without stopping to look them up every time.
• Improve your reading comprehension.
• Become a more confident reader.

Keep Practicing!

The more you practice using context clues, the better you’ll become at understanding new words! Look for clues every time you read, and you’ll be unlocking the meaning of words in no time!